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Williams Eager Beaver EM 1965

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Steven Campbell

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Jul 24, 2021, 6:33:41 PM7/24/21
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Williams in the 1960 and 1970's made some machines that had some really nice "different" parts used on them. Many years ago, I tried to search out the biggest thing I have been looking for, and had no luck, so I thought I would try again.

Most of the time these parts were used with Williams Cabinets that had a lowered section towards the front. I have heard some people call it a "apron" cabinet...I really don't know what it was called but everytime I run into the parts I need..it seems to be on these cabinets....

First off....the playfield posts.

They are 1 1/16. They are basic solid colors, red, green, blue, yellow, orange..etc. But instead of just having the "solid" color on the post it has a marbling effect. As it would look like maybe something made out of marble...although it's not. I have some of these but of course need more....I found some at the Marco site but when you follow the link, it just says "for reference only".

This is what they look like...these are what I have searched for all over the net....

https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/3A-6001-R

Any help would be appreciated...
thanks
Steve

John Robertson

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Jul 24, 2021, 8:05:29 PM7/24/21
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Hi Steve,

Yeah, those were injection molded and to reproduce the effect you have
to have two colours of tiny pellets in the mix and then they swirl
together during the injection process - no two items are the same, but
the ration of colours should be fairly consistent.

So, you need several things - a mold, which probably costs a few
thousand dollars, and injection mold machine, they start around $1500
and go straight up, and some practice.

Oddly enough I have the small injection mold machine and I am starting
to practice on ALI drop targets (Delrin/nylon), but unless someone is
willing to spring for the mold I doubt these marbleized posts are going
to made anytime soon...

John :-#)#

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Steven Campbell

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Jul 26, 2021, 9:35:54 AM7/26/21
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Okay...THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU...after the years of posting asking about those I finally get an answer...
To me, they are the best looking posts Williams and I think Bally ever made.

Maybe I can post like on the classified and see if anyone has some they have saved..etc..

Is there a certain name for them
and

THanks Again

Steve

John Robertson

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Jul 26, 2021, 6:12:48 PM7/26/21
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Hi Steve,

I believe they are called Marbleized Posts...

I will be playing with my injection molding machine and see if I can
reproduce the effect. It would be nice to be able to offer them again,
the problem is, the cost of the mold!

flippy

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Jul 26, 2021, 11:33:21 PM7/26/21
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John Robertson <sp...@flippers.com> wrote in
news:joKdndWxJaLOrmL9...@giganews.com:
I was told by one of the well known old time EM
guys that the manufacturing process for the marbleized
posts required the use of some very nasty/toxic chemicals.
Probably substances that are not used anymore because
of EPA/OSHA regulations and the resulting hassles.

Steven Campbell

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Jul 30, 2021, 7:28:00 AM7/30/21
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John

I tell you what..if there is a way that these can be reproduced, I will see what I can do to toss a donation your way to help with the mold. Of course I can't help like you probably are going to need, but we could do this. Between those that are regulars we can try to flood the pinball community to let people know they are available and then maybe things can be more even.

I have been thinking about making them on a 3D Printer. We have the ability to do that here, but, thats like buying a Porsche but underneath it was really a Volkswagen.

Thanks sir for trying to help......since getting back in the hobby it's been fast and wild. Within one month I found about 20 machines and all of them, except for maybe 1 and 1/2, are all great machines that are fixable by me and will play great again. So I still have time to try to find something of what I need, I don't have to get it done right this week ..etc. Stephen is doing my Eager Beaver backglass so I know it's going to be a while for that... he's always got them lined up.

Thanks again
Steve
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